Department of Justice investigating Alaska Senate race just days ahead of midterms

The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas in the Alaska Senate race following reports of a shared-name controversy, according to The Guardian US. The investigation follows allegations that Democratic candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign worked with party operatives to recruit a challenger with the same name as incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan to confuse voters. The Guardian US noted that ABC News reported the subpoenas, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Alaska’s Republican governor, Mike Dunleavy, has ordered a state investigation into the allegations to determine if any laws were broken, RTE News reported. The probe follows a New York Times report claiming aides to Peltola worked to recruit two candidates to siphon votes from Sullivan.

President Donald Trump expressed doubt regarding Peltola's ability to run, calling the situation "unfair," according to RTE News. The report noted that prior to the allegations, Trump had pushed the Justice Department to seek a lawsuit to pre-emptively block Alaska from certifying Peltola if she were to win. CBS News also reported that Trump is campaigning for Darline Graham in South Carolina.

Brief written by urgent.news from CBS News, RTE News, South China Morning Post, Reuters Business via SCMP, The Guardian US — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.